Expert to give lesson on fly-tying

Fly tiers looking to learn from a world-class expert will get that chance on Jan. 29, thanks to the Penobscot Fly Fishers.

Ed “Muzzy” Muzeroll of Sidney will head to Brewer to teach a daylong advanced class that will focus on classic New England streamer flies.

Muzeroll will guide attendees as they learn to tie two patterns during the morning session and two more during the afternoon.

The class will be held at the Penobscot County Conservation Association on North Main Street from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The course fee is $30, which includes a bag lunch.

Students should bring basic fly tying tools and 6/0 or 8/0 black and white thread. Thread will also be available for sale. Those who need additional lighting should bring their own. All other materials will be provided.

Since we’re talking about the Penobscot Fly Fishers, it makes sense to mention another upcoming event that the club’s membership is busily planning.

The group’s popular Cabin Fever Reliever will be held on Feb. 26-27 at the Brewer Auditorium.

The mini outdoor expo focuses on educational and hands-on exhibits for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

I’m happy to announce that at this year’s show, for the first time, the Bangor Daily News will staff a booth.

Outdoor editor Jeff Strout and I will spend the weekend talking about our online Outdoors page and our ongoing Original Ice Shack contest.

In addition, BDN librarian Charlie Campo has been assembling a number of vintage and more recent photos that we’ll display in a slide show at our booth. I’ve looked at some of the photos already, and am sure that many will spark memories of show attendees. Some of the photos feature baseball great Ted Williams during his frequent visits to Maine; others are stunning nature and wildlife shots taken by our staff photographers. Still others take you back in time to special places Mainers and visitors have been enjoying for generations.

As the show approaches, we’ll tell you a bit more. For now, save the date. We hope to see you on the last weekend of February.

This morning I’m happy to report that Doiron’s murder mystery, which revolves around an idealistic Maine game warden, has been nominated for an Edgar Award.

The prestigious Edgars are given out each spring by the Mystery Writers of America. This year’s gala banquet — the organization’s 65th — will take place April 28 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.

Doiron’s book was one of five nominated in the Best First Novel category.

Doiron is up against Bruce DeSilva (“Rogue Island”), David Gordon (“The Serialist: A Novel”), Nic Pizzolatto (“Galveston”) and James Thompson (“Snow Angels”).

Congratulations to Doiron for a well-deserved honor.

Sportsman’s show March 11-13

Each year at about this time, I begin to field a question that’s important to many of the region’s outdoor enthusiasts.

When’s the sportsman’s show?

Of course, there are several sportsmen’s shows across the state each year. But if folks in the Penobscot Valley are asking, chances are good they’re talking about the venerable Eastern Maine Sportsman’s Show, which is staged annually at the University of Maine in Orono.

This year’s show — the 73rd edition — will be held March 11-13 at UMaine’s field house, Memorial Gym and pool.

And as has become our tradition, the BDN will be there signing people up for our popular “Win a Drift Boat Trip” contest.

I recently exchanged e-mails with Dan Legere of Greenville’s Maine Guide Fly Shop and he said he’s looking forward to another great trip with our winner this year.

If you’re feeling really lucky and want to ask for the day off ahead of time, this year’s trip will again be held on Fathers Day, which falls on June 19.

It’s still early in ice-fishing season, but we’ve begun to receive some entries from anglers who are eager to pit their ice shack against the thousands of others that are used in Maine each winter.

That’s good.

But we’re sure that there are plenty of other really original shacks out there that would really knock our socks off — if, that is, we’re lucky enough to hear from the owners.

That’s where you come in. If you have a shack, take photos and enter the contest. If your buddy’s shack is better than yours, convince him that it’s in his best interest to take his own photos and take a shot at our prize pool.

Up for grabs: Three Old Town Trading Post gift certificates: $1,000 for first place, $600 for second and $400 for third.